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The project to convert the derelict former Cumbernauld Primary School building in Cumbernauld Village into a Community and Heritage Hub has come to a disappointing end. The organisation who were leading on the project, Cumbernauld Community Development Trust, met earlier this week and reluctantly decided to withdraw from the project.

The group had recently applied for a small grant to facilitate creation of a Business Plan for the project, as well as a renewed community consultation, and re-engaging with architects. Unfortunately this application was rejected. While that alone wasn’t a reason to withdraw from the project, the group realised that it was going to be virtually impossible to secure the required funding within a reasonable timescale to deliver the project.

Cumbernauld Community Development Trust had also struggled to enrol new members and had largely been operating with a committee of five people which just wasn’t feasible for a project of this size. The development was aiming to convert the former school building into a new Community and Heritage Hub, with office space, a café, heritage displays, a conference room, and a new community space for local groups and sports clubs, with a total value in the region of £3m.

Adam Smith, Chair of Cumbernauld Community Development Trust, said “This is extremely disappointing for us and it wasn’t a decision we took lightly, but it seemed only right that we accept the limited likelihood of success in this instance and ask North Lanarkshire Council to investigate other positive uses for the site. We thank the local community for their interest in the development, particularly members of Cumbernauld Village Action for the Community (CVAC) who have been assisting us over the last few years. Despite our decision to withdraw from this project, Cumbernauld Community Development Trust will continue to exist as a charitable organisation, working to support the community of Cumbernauld in whatever way we can”.